Secret realms in the Spirit Realm manifested in various forms. Some were like a paradise hidden from the world, yet concealed deadly intentions. Others, however, could send a chill down your spine with a single glance.
Zhou Damao and Lin Yun arrived inside the secret realm. A cold wind blew past, making both of them shiver.
"Are you sure this place isn't dangerous?" Zhou Damao muttered under his breath.
They were currently walking down a long, narrow passage. It looked like it had been dug out by tomb raiders; the walls on both sides were covered in chisel marks. Faint light emanated from the walls, barely allowing them to see their surroundings.
"Since it's a secret realm, danger is a certainty," Lin Yun said with a smile. "We only came here to make Qi Desheng believe in our plan. As long as he comes in too, our mission is complete."
Although he could also feel the threat here, Lin Yun braced himself and pressed on. This was, after all, an opportunity. If he could successfully lead Qi Desheng into danger within this realm, he might be able to sit back and reap the fisherman's profit.
Qi Desheng had always considered himself a very rigorous man. He was never indecisive. Although Fei Yuming had told him a great deal, Qi Desheng didn't necessarily believe it all.
However, just as he was feeling suspicious, he felt a strong energy fluctuation up ahead.
Has a secret realm nearby been opened?
The moment he felt the energy wave, Qi Desheng knew what was happening. He immediately quickened his pace, leading his junior brothers forward.
"That Lin Yun brat has always had good luck. It was because of it that he caused us trouble before! This time, no matter what, we can't let his plan succeed again!" Qi Desheng was anxious, terrified that Lin Yun would actually conquer the secret realm.
They soon arrived at the entrance. But when he stood there, his expression instantly turned grim.
"Damn it, is this kid joking? He actually dares to go into a place like this?"
That Qi Desheng had survived for so many years was, of course, related to his own sharp perception. He could always sense danger at critical moments. It was this ability that allowed him to quickly grasp the key to any problem.
Just like now. Others might not realize anything was amiss, but Qi Desheng knew that this ancient secret realm was not simple. This was a Fierce Baleful Secret Realm. Generally speaking, eight or nine out of ten people who dared to enter would find only a path to their death.
"Hehe, Senior Brother Qi, it looks like we were right. The reason Lin Yun had us take a different path was so he could hoard this secret realm for himself," Fei Yuming said viciously. If he had felt even a sliver of guilt before, it had now completely vanished.
That damn Lin Yun! He found such a great ancient secret realm and just abandoned his fellow sect members! How is a person like that qualified to join our Beast Taming Sect? Fei Yuming was now filled with a sense of self-righteous indignation.
Qi Desheng glanced at Fei Yuming. "Are you sure? The energy fluctuation just now was extremely strong. Is that really something Lin Yun is capable of?"
Unlike the currently enraged Fei Yuming, Qi Desheng was worried. This was no simple secret realm to be easily conquered. The chances of survival were slim to none. Any normal person would… he paused. No, any normal person wouldn't give up on such a place.
Fei Yuming laughed. "Senior Brother Qi, I know Lin Yun all too well! He definitely wanted to use the time he bought by sending me away to search for this secret realm!"
Seeing Fei Yuming's convinced expression, and then looking at the ancient secret realm behind him, it would be a lie to say Qi Desheng wasn't tempted. However, he was still very cautious.
"If that's the case, you take a few men and go in to see what's going on. And I advise you not to try and play any tricks. Otherwise, I won't let you leave here alive."
Fei Yuming gave a fawning smile. It was obvious that the Crimson Ghost Sect was the strongest party here. What was there for him to hesitate about? He took several Crimson Ghost Sect disciples with him and plunged into the secret realm.
Meanwhile, Lin Yun and Zhou Damao had already passed through the long corridor. A massive bronze door appeared before them. It was completely sealed shut, its surface carved with many intricate, openwork characters. It looked more like some kind of seal.
Lin Yun touched it. He could feel many chisel marks on its surface. It seemed those tomb raiders from long ago had also made it here and had even tried to widen the area around the door. But no matter what they tried, the result was always the same.
"This door is special. Its material, its craftsmanship… this isn't something you see in the present day," Zhou Damao muttered.
Lin Yun, using the faint light, made out the characters on the door.
Damn.Isn't this the ancient tongue?
"With my blood, I eternally seal the Firmament Prison! Descendants who see this, retreat at once."
This was a sealed tomb. He just didn't know what kind of being was trapped inside.
Lin Yun took a deep breath. "Senior Brother Zhou, is there anything special about the secret realms in this world?"
Zhou Damao glanced at him, likely curious as to why he was suddenly so interested, but he still answered. "The secret realms here have different manifestations, but beyond that, there are some very special places: Ancient Secret Realms. However, most of those aren't too far back on the current timeline. Out of a thousand ancient secret realms, only two or three might contain a true Ancient Inheritance."
"And the most obvious sign of an Ancient Inheritance," Zhou Damao concluded, "is the presence of the pure ancient tongue." Such places were exceedingly rare.
Lin Yun had initially been skeptical—after all, this place looked incredibly dangerous. But now, confirming how rare a secret realm with an Ancient Inheritance was, he knew he had absolutely no reason to leave.
"You brat, if you handle this place carefully, there won't be any problems!" The Chongqing Bird, apparently fed up with Lin Yun's dawdling, spoke up for the first time in a while. "The fellow sealed in here won't be able to move anytime soon. As long as you keep your disturbances minor, it won't wake up."
The meaning was clear. The seal on this place wasn't very effective anymore, but if they woke the sealed entity, that would be a different story. After so many years, the seal had long since weakened. Its failure was only a matter of time.
Hearing the Chongqing Bird itself say it was fine, Lin Yun naturally felt much more at ease.
"Even so, how do we open this door?"
The heavy bronze door was too thick. Lin Yun had no way of opening it.